Hair treatment agent containing selected fatty acid amides and selected hydroxycarboxylic acids

ABSTRACT

Hair treatment agents include a synergistic combination of selected fatty acid amides and further selected hydroxycarboxylic acids.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to hair treatment agents that include fatty acid amides.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a continuing competitive requirement to bring about improvements in hair care products and to provide them with additional advantageous properties. In particular, there is a competitive need to provide a conditioning complex that can ideally also be used in conjunction with oxidizing agents and surfactant agents.

Environmental influences and oxidative hair treatments often lead to impaired combability of both dry and wet hair. Furthermore, gloss and moisture balance are deleteriously affected by the attacked external structure of the keratinic fibers. A further consequence of repeated treatment of keratinic fibers with surfactant and/or oxidative agents is a return of severe greasiness to the keratinic fibers and a strong tendency towards increased dandruff formation.

It is therefore desirable to reduce the side-effects of environmental influences and of oxidative and surfactant hair treatments preferably not only as early as during the oxidative or surfactant hair treatment but also after the oxidative or surfactant hair treatment without impairing the effectiveness of the oxidative or surfactant cosmetic preparation, in particular with regard to color intensity, color fastness, lightening performance or permanent-wave action, and of preventing the keratinic fibers from becoming greasy again and increased dandruff formation. It is also desirable to combine in one application step, in the form of a 2-in-1 product, the oxidative treatment of keratin-containing fibers, in particular human hair, with the application of effective fiber protection from environmental influences, for example UV protection.

Fatty acid amides are chemical compounds which are known in principle and are likewise already used as ingredients in hair care products. Hydroxycarboxylic acids are likewise known in hair treatment agents. They are often used for establishing the required pH. These known compositions are, however, incapable of satisfactorily accomplishing the above objectives and solving the problems set forth above.

Desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A hair treatment agent including, relative to the weight thereof, a) 0.01 to 15 wt. % of a fatty acid amide according to formula (I)

in which R¹, R² and R³ mutually independently denote a linear branched or unbranched C₆ to C₃₀, preferably C₈ to C₂₄, more preferably C₁₂ to C₂₂ and highly preferably C₁₂ to C₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl group, wherein furthermore preferably R² equals R³ and highly preferably R¹ equals R² equals R³, and n and m mutually independently denote integers from 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 6 and highly preferably 2, 3 and/or 4, wherein highly preferably n=m; and b) 0.01 to 15.0 wt. % of at least one hydroxycarboxylic acid. Where an active substance complex is mentioned below, this phrase refers to the ingredients a) and b) which are mandatorily present in the hair treatment agents according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention.

The active substance complex according to the invention improves softening, improves gloss, improves moisture balance and provides protection from destructuring of keratin-containing fibers, in particular human hair, by UV radiation and very particularly it provides protection from oxidative damage, in particular it maintains hair growth, prevents hair loss and prevents the keratinic fibers from becoming greasy again and increases the washing resistance of dyed keratinic fibers. The present invention accordingly firstly provides a hair treatment agent including, relative to the weight thereof,

-   a) 0.01 to 15 wt. % relative to the total composition of at least     one fatty acid amide according to formula (I)

-   -   in which R¹, R² and R³ mutually independently denote a linear         branched or unbranched C₆ to C₃₀, preferably C₈ to C₂₄, more         preferably C₁₂ to C₂₂ and highly preferably C₁₂ to C₁₈ alkyl or         alkenyl group, wherein furthermore preferably R² equals R³ and         highly preferably R¹ equals R² equals R³, and n and m mutually         independently denote integers from 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 6         and highly preferably 2, 3 and/or 4, wherein highly preferably         n=m, and

-   b) 0.01 to 15.0 wt. % of at least one hydroxycarboxylic acid.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cosmetic agents serve to treat keratinic fibers, in particular human hair. Preferred agents according to the invention are therefore for example shampoos, hair coloring agents, conditioning agents or hair tonics.

Handle is defined as the tactile properties of a fiber assembly, wherein a person skilled in the art feels and carries out a sensory evaluation of the body and silkiness of the assembly.

Shaping is taken to mean the ability to impart a change in shape to an assembly of previously treated keratin-containing fibers, in particular human hair. In relation to hair cosmetics, it is also known as stylability.

Maintaining natural growth of keratinic fibers is taken to mean that the impact on natural hair growth caused by cosmetic treatment of the hair as mentioned above, in particular by oxidative hair treatment, is compensated and no or at most slight effects on the natural growth of the keratinic fibers with regard to growth in thickness or length and/or with regard to fullness of the hair are present.

An oxidative hair treatment is defined according to the invention as the action of an oxidative cosmetic agent including at least one oxidizing agent in a cosmetic carrier on the hair.

The hair treatment agent including the active substance complex according to the invention is preferably used immediately before, during or after oxidative or surfactant hair treatment. For the purposes of the invention, immediately before the oxidative or surfactant hair treatment is taken to mean use directly followed by the oxidative or surfactant hair treatment, wherein the hair treatment agent including the active substance complex according to the invention has previously been rinsed off the hair or preferably left on the hair and the hair is preferably still wet.

For the purposes of the invention, after oxidative or surfactant hair treatment is taken to mean use which either directly follows the oxidative or surfactant hair treatment, wherein the hair treatment agent including the active substance complex according to the invention is applied onto the preferably still wet, towel-dry hair once the agent with an oxidative or surfactant action has been rinsed off, or onto the dry or wet hair once a number of hours or days have elapsed. In both cases, after a period of exposure of a few seconds up to 45 minutes, the hair treatment agent according to the invention may be rinsed off again or remain in its entirety on the hair.

The effect of the hair treatment agent according to the invention is manifested even during oxidative or surfactant hair treatment and surprisingly persists even after the hair treatment agent according to the invention has been thoroughly washed out.

The active substance complex according to the invention is preferably used in a cosmetic carrier. The cosmetic carriers may in particular be aqueous or aqueous-alcoholic. An aqueous cosmetic carrier includes at least 50 wt. % water. For the purposes of the present invention, aqueous-alcoholic cosmetic carriers should be taken to be aqueous solutions including 3 to 70 wt. % of a C₁-C₆ alcohol, in particular methanol, ethanol or propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol, tert.-butanol, n-pentanol, iso-pentanols, n-hexanol, iso-hexanols, glycol, glycerol, 1,2-pentanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,2-hexanediol or 1,6-hexanediol. The agents according to the invention may additionally include further organic solvents, such as for example methoxybutanol, benzyl alcohol, ethyl diglycol or 1,2-propylene glycol. Any water-soluble organic solvents are here preferred.

Component a) of the active substance complex according to the invention is a fatty acid amide of general formula (I)

in which R¹, R² and R³ mutually independently denote a linear branched or unbranched C₆ to C₃₀, preferably C₈ to C₂₄, more preferably C₁₂ to C₂₂ and highly preferably C₁₂ to C₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl group. R¹ to R³ preferably denote capryl, caprylyl, octyl, nonyl, decanyl, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, stearyl, isostearyl, oleyl, behenyl or arachidyl. Furthermore, more preferably R² equals R³ and highly preferably R¹ equals R² equals R³. The letters n and m mutually independently denote integers from 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 6 and highly preferably for 2, 3 and/or 4, wherein highly preferably n=m. Highly preferably, R¹ equals R² equals R³ and is selected from capryl, caprylyl, octyl, nonyl, decanyl, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, stearyl, isostearyl, oleyl, behenyl or arachidyl and n=m=2. Most preferably R¹=R²=R³ and is selected from lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, stearyl, isostearyl, oleyl, behenyl or arachidyl, of which cetyl, stearyl, isostearyl, oleyl or behenyl are more preferred and n=m=2. The most preferred compound of formula (I) is that having the INCI name Bis-Ethyl(isostearylimidazoline)Isostearamide. The latter compound is commercially obtainable from Croda under the trade name Keradyn® HH.

The hair treatment agents according to the invention include the fatty acid amides according to the invention preferably in a quantity of 0.01 to 15.0 wt. %, more preferably of 0.1 to 10.0 wt. %, particularly preferably of 0.1 to 7.5 wt. %, highly preferably of 0.3 to 5.0 wt. %, in each case relative to the weight of the ready-to-use hair treatment agent.

A second essential ingredient b) in the hair treatment agents is a hydroxycarboxylic acid. Hydroxycarboxylic acids are carboxylic acids which comprise both at least one carboxy group and at least a hydroxyl group per molecule. In particular, hydroxycarboxylic acids include both “AHA” acids and β-hydroxycarboxylic acids. Another name for such hydroxy acids is fruit acid because the acids frequently occur in fruit. The hydroxycarboxylic acid according to the invention is in particular selected from glycolic acid, lactic acid, glyceric acid, malic acid, citric acid, isocitric acid, mandelic acid, tartronic acid, tartaric acid, vanillic acid, salicylic acid, mevalonic acid, β-hydroxybutyric acid, gallic acid or protocatechuic acid. The hydroxycarboxylic acid is more preferably selected from glycolic acid, lactic acid, glyceric acid, malic acid, citric acid, mandelic acid, tartaric acid, vanillic acid and salicylic acid. The hydroxycarboxylic acid is particularly preferably selected from glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid, mandelic acid, tartaric acid and vanillic acid. The hydroxycarboxylic acid is highly preferably selected from malic acid, mandelic acid, tartaric acid and vanillic acid. Mixtures of hydroxycarboxylic acids may, of course, also be used.

The compositions according to the invention include the hydroxycarboxylic acids in a total quantity of 0.01 to 15.0 wt. %, in particular of 0.01 to 10.0 wt. %, preferably of 0.1 to 7.5 wt. % and highly preferably in a quantity of 0.1 to 5.0 wt % in each case relative to the entire composition.

In a more preferred embodiment of the present invention, further selected quaternary ammonium compounds are preferably used with the mandatory ingredients already described above.

Quaternary ammonium compounds are in principle monomeric cationic or amphoteric ammonium compounds, monomeric amines, aminoamides, polymeric cationic ammonium compounds and polymeric amphoteric ammonium compounds. Among the numerous possible quaternary ammonium compounds, the following groups have proven particularly suitable and are in each case individually used in a quantity of 0.1 to 15.0 wt. %. Neither more nor less than this quantity is used even if a mixture of different compounds of quaternary ammonium compounds is used. Cationic surfactants of formula (Tkat1) form the first group of cationic surfactants.

In the formula (Tkat1), R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ in each case mutually independently denote hydrogen, a methyl group, a phenyl group, a benzyl group, a saturated, branched or unbranched alkyl residue with a chain length of 8 to 30 carbon atoms, which may optionally be substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups. A denotes a physiologically acceptable anion, for example halides such as chloride or bromide and methosulfates.

Examples of compounds of formula (Tkat1) are lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, cetyltrimethylammonium methosulfate, dicetyldimethylammonium chloride, tricetylmethylammonium chloride, stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, distearyldimethylammonium chloride, lauryldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammonium bromide, behenyltrimethylammonium methosulfate.

Esterquats according to formula (Tkat2) form a preferred group.

The residues R¹, R² and R³ are here in each case mutually independent and may be identical or different. The residues R¹, R² and R³ mean:

-   -   a branched or unbranched alkyl residue with 1 to 4 carbon atoms         which may include at least one hydroxyl group, or     -   a saturated or unsaturated, branched or unbranched or a cyclic         saturated or unsaturated alkyl residue with 6 to 30 carbon atoms         which may include at least one hydroxyl group, or     -   an aryl or alkaryl residue, for example phenyl or benzyl,     -   the residue (—X—R⁴), providing that at most 2 of the residues         R¹, R² or R³ may denote this residue.

The residue —(X—R⁴) is present at least once to 3 times. X here denotes:

-   1) —(CH₂)_(n)— with n=1 to 20, preferably n=1 to 10 and more     preferably n=1-5, or -   2) —(CH₂—CHR⁵—O)_(n)— with n=1 to 200, preferably 1 to 100, more     preferably 1 to 50, and more preferably 1 to 20 with R⁵ meaning     hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, -   3) a hydroxyalkyl group with one to four carbon atoms which may be     branched or unbranched and which includes at least one and at most 3     hydroxyl groups. Examples are: —CH₂OH, —CH₂CH₂OH, —CHOHCHOH,     —CH₂CHOHCH₃, —CH(CH₂OH)₂, —COH(CH₂OH)₂, —CH₂CHOHCH₂OH, —CH₂CH₂CH₂OH     and hydroxybutyl residues,     and R⁴ denotes: -   1) R⁶—O—CO—, in which R⁶ is a saturated or unsaturated, branched or     unbranched or a cyclic saturated or unsaturated alkyl residue with 6     to 30 carbon atoms which may include at least one hydroxyl group and     which may optionally furthermore be ethoxylated with 1 to 100     ethylene oxide units and/or 1 to 100 propylene oxide units, or -   2) R⁷—CO—, in which R⁷ is a saturated or unsaturated, branched or     unbranched or a cyclic saturated or unsaturated alkyl residue with 6     to 30 carbon atoms which may include at least one hydroxyl group and     which may optionally furthermore be ethoxylated with 1 to 100     ethylene oxide units and/or 1 to 100 propylene oxide units,     and A denotes a physiologically acceptable organic or inorganic     anion and is defined at this point as being representative for all     the structures also described below. The anion of all the described     cationic compounds is selected from the halide ions, fluoride,     chloride, bromide or iodide, sulfates of general formula RSO₃ ⁻, in     which R has the meaning of saturated or unsaturated alkyl residues     with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or anionic residues of organic acids such     as maleate, fumarate, oxalate, tartrate, citrate, lactate or     acetate.

Such products are sold, for example, under the trademarks Rewoquat®, Stepantex®, Dehyquart®, Arrnocare® and Akypoquat®. The products Armocare® VGH-70, Dehyquart® F-75, Dehyquart® C-4046, Dehyquart® L80, Dehyquart® F-30, Dehyquart® AU-35, Rewoquat® WE18, Rewoquat® WE38 DPG, Stepantex® VS 90 and Akypoquat® 131 are examples of these esterquats.

Further compounds of formula (Tkat2) which are more preferred according to the invention belong to formula (Tkat2.1), the cationic betaine esters.

The meaning of R⁸ corresponds to that of R⁷.

More preferred esterquats are those with the trade names Armocare® VGH-70, and Dehyquart® F-75, Dehyquart® L80, Stepantex® VS 90 and Akypoquat® 131.

In preferred agents according to the invention, cationic surfactants of formula (bI) are used within relatively narrow quantity ranges, such that preferred hair treatment agents according to the invention are characterized in that they include 0.1 to 15 wt. %, preferably 0.5 to 10 wt. %, further preferably 1 to 10 wt. %, still more preferably 1.5 to 10 wt. % and in particular 2 to 5 wt. % of at least one compound of general formula (I),

in which n and m mutually independently denote integers between 5 and 40, providing that n+m≧38; more preferably n=m; highly preferably n=m=20. a and b mutually independently denote integers between 1 and 10; in particular mutually independently denote 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, the equation a+2≧b≧a−2 preferably applies and highly preferably a=b=3. R and R′ are mutually independently selected from —H and —CH₃; preferably R=R′, such that either PEG or PPG diesterquats are used; particularly preferably R=R′=—CH₃, X⁻ is a physiologically acceptable anion, a halide such as chloride, bromide or iodide, toluenesulfonate, methosulfate etc., and more preferably methosulfate.

In particular when one of the compounds of formula (I) as previously described is used, it has been found that the conditioning effects of the agents according to the invention can be further increased and in particular the stability of the agents further improved if, in addition to the compound(s) of formula (I), the agents include specific acylated diamines.

Hair treatment agents which are preferred according to the invention are therefore characterized in that they additionally include 0.1 to 10 wt. % of at least one compound of formula (II)

in which x denotes 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 or 24.

Compounds of formula (II) with n=20 are here more preferred. Highly preferred agents according to the invention are distinguished in that they include a compound of formula (I) always in conjunction with a compound of general formula (II).

A further group are quaternary imidazoline compounds. The formula (Tkat2) illustrated below shows the structure of these compounds.

The residues R mutually independently in each case denote a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched hydrocarbon residue with a chain length of 8 to 30 carbon atoms. The preferred compounds of formula (Tkat2) in each case include the identical hydrocarbon residue for R. The chain length of the residues R preferably amounts to 12 to 21 carbon atoms. A denotes an anion as previously described. Examples which are particularly according to the invention are obtainable for example under the INCI names Quaternium-27, Quaternium-72, Quaternium-83 and Quaternium-91. Quaternium-91 is highly preferred according to the invention.

In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the agents according to the invention furthermore include at least one amine and/or cationized amine, in particular an amidoamine and/or a cationized amidoamine with the following structural formulae:

R¹—NH—(CH₂)_(n)—N⁺R²R³R⁴A  (Tkat3)

in which R¹ means an acyl or alkyl residue with 6 to 30 C atoms which may be branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, and wherein the acyl residue and/or the alkyl residue may include at least one OH group, and R², R³ and R⁴ in each case mutually independently mean

-   1) hydrogen or -   2) an alkyl residue with 1 to 4 C atoms which may be identical or     different, saturated or unsaturated and -   3) a branched or unbranched hydroxyalkyl group with one to 4 carbon     atoms with at least one and at most three hydroxyl groups, for     example —CH₂OH, —CH₂CH₂OH, —CHOHCHOH, —CH₂CHOHCH₃, —CH(CH₂OH)₂,     —COH(CH₂OH)₂, —CH₂CHOHCH₂OH, —CH₂CH₂CH₂OH and hydroxybutyl residues,     and     A means an anion as previously described and     n means an integer between 1 and 10.

A preferred composition is one in which the amine and/or the quaternized amine according to general formula (Tkat3) is an amidoamine and/or a quaternized amidoamine, in which R¹ means a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated acyl residue with 6 to 30 C atoms which may include at least one OH group. A fatty acid residue obtained from oils and waxes, in particular from natural oils and waxes, is here preferred. Examples thereof which may be considered are lanolin, beeswax or candelilla wax.

Preferred amidoamines and/or quaternized amidoamines are also those in which R², R³ and/or R⁴ in formula (Tkat3) mean a residue according to general formula CH₂CH₂OR⁵, in which R⁵ may have the meaning of alkyl residues with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, hydroxyethyl or hydrogen. The preferred size of n in general formula (Tkat8) is an integer between 2 and 5.

The alkylamidoamines may both be present as such and be converted into a quaternary compound in the composition by protonation in an appropriately acidic solution. Cationic alkylamidoamines are preferred according to the invention.

Examples of such commercial products according to the invention are Witcamine® 100, Incromine® BB, Mackine® 401 and other Mackine® grades, Adogen® S18V, and, as permanently cationic aminoamides: Rewoquat® RTM 50, Empigen® CSC, Swanol® Lanoquat DES-50, Rewoquat® UTM 50, Schercoquat® BAS, Lexquat® AMG-BEO, or Incroquat® Behenyl HE.

The above-stated cationic surfactants may be used individually or in any desired combinations with one another, wherein quantities of between 0.01 and 10 wt. %, preferably quantities of 0.01 to 7.5 wt. % and particularly preferably quantities of 0.1 to 5.0 wt. % are present. The very best results are here obtained with quantities of 0.1 to 3.0 wt. % in each case relative to the total composition of the respective agent.

Further quaternary ammonium compounds are cationic and amphoteric polymers. The cationic and/or amphoteric polymers may be homo- or copolymers or polymers based on natural polymers, wherein the quaternary nitrogen groups are present either in the polymer chain or preferably as substituents on one or more of the monomers. Monomers including ammonium groups may be copolymerized with non-cationic monomers. Suitable cationic monomers are unsaturated, free-radically polymerizable compounds which bear at least one cationic group, in particular ammonium-substituted vinyl monomers such as for example trialkylmethacryloxyalkylammonium, trialkylacryloxyalkylammonium, dialkyl-diallylammonium and quaternary vinylammonium monomers with cyclic, cationic nitrogen-containing groups such as pyridinium, imidazolinium or quaternary pyrrolidones, for example alkylvinylimidazolium, alkylvinylpyridinium or alkylvinylpyrrolidone salts. The alkyl groups of these monomers are preferably lower alkyl groups such as for example C₁ to C₇ alkyl groups, more preferably C₁ to C₃ alkyl groups.

Monomers including ammonium groups may be copolymerized with non-cationic monomers. Suitable comonomers are for example acrylamide, methacrylamide; alkyl- and dialkylacrylamide, alkyl- and dialkylmethacrylamide, alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate, vinylcaprolactone, vinylcaprolactam, vinylpyrrolidone, vinyl esters, for example vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohol, propylene glycol or ethylene glycol, wherein the alkyl groups of these monomers are preferably C₁ to C₇ alkyl groups, more preferably C₁ to C₃ alkyl groups.

Among the numerous polymers of this kind, the following have proven to be particularly effective components of the active substance complex according to the invention:

homopolymers of general formula —{CH₂—[CR¹COO—(CH₂)_(m)N⁺R²R³R⁴]}_(n) X⁻, in which R¹=—H or —CH₃, R², R³ and R⁴ are mutually independently selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl groups, m=1, 2, 3 or 4, n is a natural number and X⁻ is a physiologically acceptable organic or inorganic anion. In the context of these polymers, those which are preferred according to the invention are those for which at least one of the following conditions applies: R¹ denotes a methyl group, R², R³ and R⁴ denote methyl groups, m has the value 2.

Physiologically acceptable counterions X⁻ which may, for example, be considered are halide ions, sulfate ions, phosphate ions, methosulfate ions and organic ions such as lactate, citrate, tartrate and acetate ions. Methosulfate and halide ions, in particular chloride, are preferred.

Suitable cationic polymers are for example copolymers according to formula (Copo) which are present in the hair treatment agents according to the invention preferably in a quantity, relative to the weight thereof, of 0.001 to 5 wt. %, preferably 0.0025 to 2.5 wt. %, more preferably 0.005 to 1 wt. %, further preferably 0.0075 to 0.75 wt. % and in particular 0.01 to 0.5 wt. %.

in which:

x+y+z=Q

Q denotes values from 3 to 55000, preferably from 10 to 25000, more preferably from 50 to 15000, further preferably from 100 to 10000, still more preferably from 500 to 8000 and in particular from 1000 to 5000, x denotes (0 to 0.5) Q, preferably (0 to 0.3) Q and in particular the values 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, wherein the value 0 is preferred, y denotes (0.1 to 0.95) Q, preferably (0.5 to 0.7) Q and in particular values from 1 to 24000, preferably from 5 to 15000, more preferably from 10 to 10000 and in particular from 100 to 4800, z denotes (0.001 to 0.5) Q, preferably (0.1 to 0.5) Q and in particular values from 1 to 12500, preferably from 2 to 8000, more preferably from 3 to 4000 and in particular from 5 to 2000.

One highly preferred copolymer which is of the above-described structure is commercially obtainable under the name Polyquaternium-74.

One particularly suitable homopolymer is poly(methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride), which may if desired be crosslinked, with the INCI name Polyquaternium-37. Such products are commercially obtainable for example under the names Rheocare® CTH (Cosmetic Rheologies) and Synthalen® CR (3V Sigma).

The homopolymer is preferably used in the form of a nonaqueous polymer dispersion. Such polymer dispersions are commercially obtainable under the names Salcare® SC 95 and Salcare® SC 96.

Suitable cationic polymers which are derived from natural polymers are cationic derivatives of polysaccharides, for example cationic derivatives of cellulose, starch or guar. Chitosan and chitosan derivatives are furthermore suitable. Cationic polysaccharides have the general formula G-O—B—N⁺R_(a)R_(b)R_(c)A⁻

G is an anhydroglucose residue, for example starch or cellulose anhydroglucose; B is a divalent linking group, for example alkylene, oxyalkylene, polyoxyalkylene or hydroxyalkylene; R_(a), R_(b) and R_(c) are mutually independently alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl or alkoxyaryl in each case with up to 18 C atoms, wherein the total number of C atoms in R_(a), R_(b) and R_(c) preferably amounts to at most 20; X⁻ is a conventional counteranion and is preferably chloride.

Cationic, thus quaternized, celluloses are commercially obtainable with different degrees of substitution, cationic charge densities, nitrogen contents and molecular weights.

For example, Polyquaternium-67 is commercially offered for sale under the names Polymer® SL or Polymer® SK (Amerchol). A further highly preferred cellulose is offered for sale under the trade name Mirustyle® CP from Croda. This is a trimonium and cocodimonium hydroxyethylcellulose as a derivatized cellulose with the INCI name Polyquaternium-72. Polyquaternium-72 may be used both in solid form and already predissolved in aqueous solution.

Further cationic celluloses are Polymer JR® 400 (Amerchol, INCI name Polyquaternium-10) and Polymer Quatrisoft® LM-200 (Amerchol, INCI name Polyquaternium-24). Further commercial products are the compounds Celquat® H 100 and Celquat® L 200. Particularly preferred cationic celluloses are Polyquaternium-24, Polyquaternium-67 and Polyquaternium-72.

Suitable cationic guar derivatives are distributed under the trade name Jaguar® and have the INCI name Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride. Particularly suitable cationic guar derivatives are furthermore also commercially obtainable from Hercules under the name N-Hance®. Further cationic guar derivatives are distributed by Cognis under the name Cosmedia®. One preferred cationic guar derivative is the commercial product AquaCat® from Hercules. This raw material is an already predissolved cationic guar derivative. Cationic guar derivatives are preferred according to the invention.

One suitable chitosan is for example distributed by Kyowa Oil & Fat, Japan, under the tradename Flonac®. One preferred chitosan salt is chitosoniumpyrrolidone carboxylate, which is for example distributed by Amerchol, USA, under the name Kytamer® PC. Further chitosan derivatives are readily commercially obtainable under the trade names Hydagen® CMF, Hydagen® HCMF and Chitolam® NB/101.

A further group of polymers which may excellently be used according to the invention are polymers based on glucose. The following figure shows one such cationic alkyl oligoglucoside.

In the formula shown above, the residues R mutually independently denote a linear or branched C₆ to C₃₀ alkyl residue, a linear or branched C₆-C₃₀ alkenyl residue; the residue R preferably denotes a residue R selected from: lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, stearyl, oleyl, behenyl or arachidyl.

The residues R¹ mutually independently denote a linear or branched C₆ to C₃₀ alkyl residue, a linear or branched C₆ to C₃₀ alkenyl residue; the residue R preferably denotes a residue selected from: butyl, capryl, caprylyl, octyl, nonyl, decanyl, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, stearyl, oleyl, behenyl or arachidyl. The residues R¹ are more preferably identical. The residues R¹ are still more preferably selected from technical mixtures of the fatty alcohol cuts from C₆/C₈ fatty alcohols, C₈/C₁₀ fatty alcohols, C₁₀/C₁₂ fatty alcohols, C₁₂/C₁₄ fatty alcohols, C₁₂/C₁₈ fatty alcohols, and highly preferred technical fatty alcohol cuts are those which are of plant origin. The counterion to the cationic charge is a physiologically acceptable anion, for example halide, methosulfate, phosphate, citrate, tartrate, etc. The counterion is preferably a halide, such as fluoride, chloride or bromide, or methosulfate. The anion is highly preferably chloride.

More preferred examples of cationic alkyl oligoglucosides are the compounds with the INCI names Polyquaternium-77, Polyquaternium-78, Polyquaternium-79, Polyquaternium-80, Polyquaternium-81 and Polyquaternium-82.

Highly preferred cationic alkyl oligoglucosides are those with the names Polyquaternium-77, Polyquaternium-81 and Polyquaternium-82.

Such compounds may for example be purchased under the name Poly Suga® Quat from Colonial Chemical Inc.

The cationic alkyl oligoglucosides are used in a total quantity of 0.01 to 10.0 wt. %, preferably of 0.05 to 5.0 wt. %, still more preferably of 0.1 to 3.0 wt. % and highly preferably in quantities of 0.2 to 2.0 wt. % in each case relative to the total weight of the composition. It goes without saying that a plurality of mixtures of cationic alkyl oligoglucosides may also be used according to the invention. It is preferred in this case, for one long-chain and one short-chain cationic alkyl oligoglucoside to be used simultaneously.

A further preferred cationic polymer may be obtained on the basis of ethanolamine. The polymer is commercially obtainable under the name Polyquaternium-71.

This polymer may for example be purchased under the name Cola® Moist 300 P from Colonial Chemical Inc. Polyquaternium-71 is used in a total quantity of 0.01 to 10.0 wt. %, preferably of 0.05 to 5.0 wt. %, still more preferably of 0.1 to 3.0 wt. % and highly preferably in quantities of 0.2 to 2.0 wt. % in each case relative to the total weight of the composition.

A cationic alkyl oligoglucoside as shown in the following figure may furthermore particularly preferentially be used.

In the formula shown above, the residue R² denotes a linear or branched C₆ to C₃₀ alkyl residue, a linear or branched C₆-C₃₀ alkenyl residue; the residue R preferably denotes a residue R selected from: lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, stearyl, oleyl, behenyl or arachidyl.

The residue R¹ mutually independently denotes a linear or branched C₆ to C₃₀ alkyl residue, a linear or branched C₆ to C₃₀ alkenyl residue; the residue R¹ preferably denotes a residue selected from: butyl, capryl, caprylyl, octyl, nonyl, decanyl, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, stearyl, oleyl, behenyl or arachidyl. The residue R¹ is still more preferably selected from technical mixtures of the fatty alcohol cuts from C₆/C₈ fatty alcohols, C₈/C₁₀ fatty alcohols, C₁₀/C₁₂ fatty alcohols, C₁₂/C₁₄ fatty alcohols, C₁₂/C₁₈ fatty alcohols, and highly preferred technical fatty alcohol cuts are those which are of plant origin. The index n denotes a number between 1 and 20, preferably between 1 and 10, more preferably between 1 and 5 and highly preferably between 1 and 3. The counterion for the cationic charge, A⁻, is a physiologically acceptable anion, for example halide, methosulfate, phosphate, citrate, tartrate, etc. The counterion is preferably a halide, such as fluoride, chloride or bromide, or methosulfate. The anion is highly preferably chloride.

More preferred examples of the cationic alkyl oligoglucosides are the compounds with the INCI names Laurdimoniumhydroxypropyl Decylglucosides Chloride, Laurdimoniumhydroxypropyl Laurylglucosides Chloride, Stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl Decylglucosides Chloride, Stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl Laurylglucosides Chloride, Stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl Laurylglucosides Chloride or Cocoglucosides Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride.

Such compounds may for example be purchased under the name Suga® Quat from Colonial Chemical Inc.

The cationic alkyl oligoglucosides are used in a total quantity of 0.01 to 10.0 wt. %, preferably of 0.05 to 5.0 wt. %, still more preferably of 0.1 to 3.0 wt. % and highly preferably in quantities of 0.2 to 2.0 wt. % in each case relative to the total weight of the composition. It goes without saying that a plurality of mixtures of cationic alkyl oligoglucosides may also be used according to the invention. It is preferred in this case, for one long-chain and one short-chain cationic alkyl oligoglucoside to be used simultaneously.

One more preferred cationic polymer according to the invention is the copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinylcaprolactam, N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)methacrylamide and 3-(methacryloylamino)propyllauryldimethylammonium chloride (INCI name: Polyquaternium-69), which is sold for example under the trade name AquaStyle® 300 (28-32 wt. % active substance in ethanol/water mixture, molecular weight 350000) by ISP.

Further preferred cationic polymers are for example

-   -   cationized honey, for example the commercial product Honeyquat®         50,     -   polymeric dimethyldiallylammonium salts and the copolymers         thereof with esters and amides of acrylic acid and methacrylic         acid. The products commercially obtainable under the names         Merquat®100 (poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride)) and         Merquat®550 (dimethyldiallylammonium chloride-acrylamide         copolymer) are examples of such cationic polymers with the INCI         name Polyquaternium-7,     -   vinylpyrrolidone-vinylimidazolium methochloride copolymers, as         are offered for sale under the names Luviquat® FC 370 and FC 550         and the INCI name Polyquaternium-16 together with FC 905 and         HM552,     -   quaternized vinylpyrrolidone/dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate,         for example vinylpyrrolidone/dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate         methosulfate copolymer, which is distributed by Gaf Co., USA         under the trade names Gafquat® 755 N and Gafquat® 734 and the         INCI name Polyquaternium-11,     -   quaternized polyvinyl alcohol,     -   and the polymers known by the names Polyquaternium-2,         Polyquaternium-17, Polyquaternium-18 and Polyquaternium-27 with         quaternary nitrogen atoms in the polymer main chain,     -   vinylpyrrolidone-vinylcaprolactam-acrylate terpolymers, as are         for example offered for sale with acrylic acid esters and         acrylamides as the third monomeric building block under the name         Aquaflex® SF 40.

Amphoteric polymers according to the invention are those polymers in which a cationic group is derived from at least one of the following monomers:

(i) monomers with quaternary ammonium groups of general formula (Mono1),

R¹—CH═CR²—CO—Z—(C_(n)H_(2n))—N⁽⁺⁾R²R³R⁴A⁽⁻⁾  (Mono1)

in which R¹ and R² mutually independently denote hydrogen or a methyl group and R³, R⁴ and R⁵ mutually independently denote alkyl groups with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, Z is an NH group or an oxygen atom, n is an integer from 2 to 5 and A⁽⁻⁾ is the anion of an organic or inorganic acid, (i) monomers with quaternary ammonium groups of general formula (Mono2),

in which R⁶ and R⁷ mutually independently denote a (C₁ to C₄) alkyl group, in particular a methyl group and A⁻ is the anion of an organic or inorganic acid, (iii) monomeric carboxylic acids of general formula (Mono3),

R⁸—CH═CR⁹—COOH  (Mono3)

in which R⁸ and R⁹ are mutually independently hydrogen or methyl groups.

More preferred polymers are those in which monomers of type (i) are used, in which R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are methyl groups, Z is an NH group and A⁽⁻⁾ a halide, methoxysulfate or ethoxysulfate ion; acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride is a more preferred monomer (i). Acrylic acid is preferably used as monomer (ii) for the stated polymers.

More preferred amphoteric polymers are copolymers prepared from at least one monomer (Mono1) or (Mono2) with the monomer (Mono3), in particular copolymers prepared from monomers (Mono2) and (Mono3). Amphoteric polymers which are particularly preferably used according to the invention are copolymers of diallyldimethylammonium chloride and acrylic acid. These copolymers are distributed under the INCI name Polyquaternium-22, inter alia with the trade name Merquat® 280 (Nalco).

Apart from a monomer (Mono1) or (Mono2) and a monomer (Mono3), amphoteric polymers according to the invention may furthermore additionally include a monomer (Mono4)

(iv) monomeric carboxamides of general formula (Mono4),

in which R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are mutually independently hydrogen or methyl groups and R¹² denotes a hydrogen atom or a (C₁ to C₈) alkyl group.

Amphoteric polymers based on a comonomer (Mono4) which are particularly preferably used according to the invention are terpolymers of diallyldimethylammonium chloride, acrylamide and acrylic acid. These copolymers are distributed under the INCI name Polyquaternium-39, inter alia with the trade name Merquat® Plus 3330 (Nalco).

The amphoteric polymers may generally be used according to the invention both directly and in salt form, which is obtained by neutralization of the polymers, for example with an alkali metal hydroxide.

The above-stated cationic polymers may be used individually or in any desired combinations with one another, wherein quantities of between 0.01 and 10 wt. %, preferably quantities of 0.01 to 7.5 wt. % and particularly preferably quantities of 0.1 to 5.0 wt. % are present. The very best results are here obtained with quantities of 0.1 to 3.0 wt. % in each case relative to the total composition of the respective agent.

It goes without saying that, in addition to the active ingredient combination according to the invention, the hair treatment agents according to the invention also include further components conventional in cosmetic compositions. The selection of these components is generally determined by the intended use of the hair treatment agents. In the case of a shampoo, further surface-active substances will, for example, be present. In the case of hair masks, further cationic compounds and further conditioning substances will optionally be present.

In a more preferred embodiment of the active substance complex according to the invention, the agents according to the invention preferably include at least one amino-functional silicone. Cationic silicone oils which are suitable according to the invention are for example the commercially obtainable products Dow Corning (DC) 929 Emulsion, DC 2-2078, DC 5-7113, SM-2059 (General Electric) and SLM-55067 (Wacker).

More preferred agents according to the invention are characterized in that they include at least one amino-functional silicone of formula (Si3-a)

in which m and n are numbers, the sum of which (m+n) amounts to between 1 and 2000, preferably between 50 and 150, wherein n preferably assumes values from 0 to 1999 and in particular from 49 to 149 and m preferably assumes values from 1 to 2000, in particular from 1 to 10.

According to the INCI declaration, these silicones are designated trimethylsilylamodimethicones and are obtainable for example under the name Q2-7224 (manufacturer: Dow Corning; a stabilized trimethylsilylamodimethicone).

Agents according to the invention which are more preferred are also those which include at least one amino-functional silicone of formula (Si-3b)

in which R denotes —OH, an (optionally ethoxylated and/or propoxylated) (C₁ to C₂₀) alkoxy group or a —CH₃ group, R′ denotes —OH, a (C₁ to C₂₀) alkoxy group or a —CH₃ group and m, n1 and n2 are numbers, the sum of which (m+n1+n2) amounts to between 1 and 2000, preferably between 50 and 150, wherein the sum of (n1+n2) preferably assumes values from 0 to 1999 and in particular from 49 to 149 and m preferably assumes values from 1 to 2000, in particular from 1 to 10.

According to the INCI declaration, these silicones are known as amodimethicones, or as functionalized amodimethicones, such as for example Bis(C13-15 Alkoxy) PG Amodimethicone (for example obtainable as the commercial product DC 8500 from Dow Corning).

Suitable diquaternary silicones are selected from compounds of general formula (Si3c)

[R¹R²R³N⁺-A-SiR⁷R⁸—(O—SiR⁹R¹⁰)_(n)—O—SiR¹¹R¹²-A-N⁺R⁴R⁵R⁶]2X⁻  (Si3c)

wherein the residues R¹ to R⁶ mutually independently mean C₁ to C₂₂ alkyl residues which may include hydroxyl groups and wherein preferably at least one of the residues has at least 8 C atoms and the remaining residues have 1 to 4 C atoms, residues R⁷ to R¹² are mutually independently identical or different and mean C₁ to C₁₀ alkyl or phenyl, A means a divalent organic linking group, n is a number from 0 to 200, preferably from 10 to 120, more preferably from 10 to 40, and X⁻ is an anion.

The divalent linking group is preferably a C₁ to C₁₂ alkylene or alkoxyalkylene group which may be substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups.

The group —(CH₂)₃—O—CH₂—CH(OH)—CH₂— is more preferred.

The anion X⁻ may be a halide ion, an acetate, an organic carboxylate or a compound of general formula RSO₃ ⁻, in which R has the meaning of C₁ to C₄ alkyl residues.

A preferred diquaternary silicone has the general formula (Si3d)

[RN⁺Me₂-A-(SiMe₂O)_(n)—SiMe₂-A-N⁺Me₂R]₂CH₃COO⁻  (Si3d),

wherein A is the group —(CH₂)₃—O—CH₂—CH(OH)—CH₂—, R is an alkyl residue with at least 8 C atoms and n a number from 10 to 120.

Suitable silicone polymers with two terminal, quaternary ammonium groups are known by the INCI name Quaternium-80. These are dimethylsiloxanes with two terminal trialkylammonium groups. Such diquaternary polydimethylsiloxanes are distributed by Evonik under the trade names Abil® Quat 3270, 3272 and 3474.

Hair treatment agents which are preferred according to the invention are characterized in that, relative to the weight thereof, they include 0.01 to 10 wt. %, preferably 0.01 to 8 wt. %, more preferably 0.1 to 7.5 wt. % and in particular 0.2 to 5 wt. % of amino-functional silicone(s) and/or diquaternary silicone.

Polyammonium-polysiloxane compounds are further silicones according to the invention with amino functions. The polyammonium-polysiloxane compounds may for example be obtained from GE Bayer Silicones under the trade name Baysilone®. The products named Baysilone TP 3911, SME 253 and SFE 839 are here preferred. It is particularly preferred to use Baysilone TP 3911 as an active component of the compositions according to the invention. The polyammonium-polysiloxane compounds are used in the compositions according to the invention in a quantity of 0.01 to 10 wt. %, preferably 0.01 to 7.5, more preferably 0.01 to 5.0 wt. %, particularly preferably of 0.05 to 2.5 wt. % in each case relative to the total composition.

EP 1887024 A1 describes novel cationic amino-functional silicones which in particular improve gloss in agents for conditioning surfaces, for example human hair. These cationic silicone polymers are distinguished in that they have a silicone backbone and at least one polyether moiety and furthermore at least one moiety with an ammonium structure. Examples of preferred cationic silicone polymers for the purposes of the present invention are, in addition to the compounds of the above-stated EP 1887024 A1, furthermore in particular the compounds with the INCI names: Silicone Quaternium-1, Silicone Quaternium-2, Silicone Quaternium-3, Silicone Quaternium-4, Silicone Quaternium-5, Silicone Quaternium-6, Silicone Quaternium-7, Silicone Quaternium-8, Silicone Quaternium-9, Silicone Quaternium-10, Silicone Quaternium-11, Silicone Quaternium-12, Silicone Quaternium-15, Silicone Quaternium-16, Silicone Quaternium-17, Silicone Quaternium-18, Silicone Quaternium-20, Silicone Quaternium-21, Silicone Quaternium-22 and Silicone Quaternium-2 Panthenol Succinate and Silicone Quaternium-16/Glycidol Dimethicone Crosspolymer. Silicone Quaternium-22 is in particular most preferred. This raw material is distributed for example by Evonik under the trade name Abil® T-Quat 60.

A final aminosilicone which is particularly preferred according to the invention is of the following formula:

in which R¹ denotes a methyl, ethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy or ethoxy group, R² denotes a straight-chain or branched C₈ to C₂₄ alkyl or alkylene residue, preferably a straight-chain or branched C₉ to C₂₂ alkyl or alkenyl residue, more preferably a straight-chain or branched C₁₁ to C₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl residue, highly preferably a corresponding alkyl residue, n and m in each case denote integers of 1 to 1000 and q in each case denotes an integer of 2 to 50, preferably 4 to 30, more preferably 4 to 18 and highly preferably of 4 to 12.

The molecular weight of such compounds amounts to 15,000 to 2,000,000, measured with a Brookfield rotational viscometer RV, spindle 5, at 20° C. The molar weight preferably amounts to 30,000 to 1,750,000 and more preferably 50,000 to 1,500,000. The nitrogen content of the silicones according to the invention amounts to 0.03 to 4.2 wt. %, preferably 0.1 to 2.8 wt. % and highly preferably 0.16 to 1.4 wt. %. Amino-functional cationic silicones according to the invention of the above formula may be purchased for example from Clariant. One product which is highly preferred according to the invention is commercially obtainable under the INCI name “Trideceth-9 Amodimethicone and Trideceth-12”.

The cationic amino-functional silicone polymers of the above-described formula are present in the compositions according to the invention in quantities of 0.01 to 5 wt. %, preferably in quantities of 0.05 to 5 wt. % and particularly preferably in quantities of 0.1 to 5 wt. %. The very best results are here obtained with quantities of 0.1 to 2.5 wt. % in each case relative to the total composition of the respective agent.

The cationic amino-functional silicone polymers are present in the compositions according to the invention in quantities of 0.01 to 10 wt. %, preferably in quantities of 0.05 to 10 wt. % and particularly preferably in quantities of 0.1 to 7.5 wt. %. The very best results are obtained with quantities of 0.1 to 5 wt. % in each case relative to the total composition of the respective agent.

The dimethicones according to the invention may be both linear and branched and cyclic or cyclic and branched. Viscosities are between 100 and 10000000 cPs measured at 25° C. with the assistance of a glass capillary viscometer using the Dow Corning Corporate Test Method CTM 0004 of 20 Jul. 1970. Preferred viscosities are between 1000 and 5000000 cPs, very particularly preferred viscosities are between 10000 and 3000000 cPs. The most preferred range is between 50000 and 2000000 cPs. Viscosities around the range of approximately 60,000 cPs are highly preferred. Reference may be made by way of example to the product “Dow Corning 200, 60000 cSt”.

More preferred cosmetic or dermatological preparations according to the invention are characterized in that they include at least one silicone of formula (Si1.2)

(CH₃)₃Si—[O—Si(CH₃)₂]_(x)—O—Si(CH₃)₃  (Si1.2),

in which x denotes a number from 0 to 100, preferably from 0 to 50, more preferably from 0 to 20 and in particular from 0 to 10.

The dimethicones are present in the compositions according to the invention in quantities of 0.01 to 10 wt. %, preferably 0.01 to 8 wt. %, more preferably 0.1 to 7.5 wt. % and in particular 0.1 to 5 wt. % relative to the composition.

Finally, silicone compounds are taken to mean dimethiconols. The dimethiconols according to the invention may be both linear and branched and cyclic or cyclic and branched. Viscosities are between 100 and 10000000 cPs measured at 25° C. with the assistance of a glass capillary viscometer using the Dow Corning Corporate Test Method CTM 0004 of 20 Jul. 1970. Preferred viscosities are between 1000 and 5000000 cPs, very particularly preferred viscosities are between 10000 and 3000000 cPs. The most preferred range is between 50000 and 2000000 cPs.

The following commercial products can be mentioned as examples of such products: Dow Corning 1-1254 Fluid, Dow Corning 2-9023 Fluid, Dow Corning 2-9026 Fluid, Abil OSW 5 (Degussa Care Specialties), Dow Corning 1401 Fluid, Dow Corning 1403 Fluid, Dow Corning 1501 Fluid, Dow Corning 1784 HVF Emulsion, Dow Corning 9546 Silicone Elastomer Blend, SM555, SM2725, SM2765, SM2785 (all above-stated from GE Silicones), Wacker-Belsil CM 1000, Wacker-Belsil CM 3092, Wacker-Belsil CM 5040, Wacker-Belsil DM 3096, Wacker-Belsil DM 3112 VP, Wacker-Belsil DM 8005 VP, Wacker-Belsil DM 60081 VP (all above-stated from Wacker-Chemie GmbH).

The dimethiconols are in the compositions according to the invention in quantities of 0.01 to 10 wt. %, preferably 0.01 to 8 wt. %, more preferably 0.1 to 7.5 wt. % and in particular 0.1 to 5 wt. % of dimethiconol relative to the composition.

The cyclic dimethicones designated according to INCI as cyclomethicones may preferably be used according to the invention. Cosmetic or dermatological preparations which are preferred according to the invention are those which include at least one silicone of formula (Si-4)

in which x denotes a number from 3 to 200, preferably from 3 to 10, more preferably from 3 to 7 and in particular 3, 4, 5 or 6.

Agents which are likewise preferred according to the invention are those which are characterized in that they include at least one silicone of formula (Si-5)

R³Si—[O—SiR²]_(x)—(CH₂)_(n)[O—SiR²]_(y)—O—SiR³  (Si-5),

in which R denotes identical or different residues from the group —H, -phenyl, -benzyl, —CH₂—CH(CH₃)Ph, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl residues, preferably —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —CH₂CH₂CH₃, —CH(CH₃)₂, —CH₂CH₂CH₂H₃, —CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃, —C(CH₃)₃, x and y denote a number from 0 to 200, preferably from 0 to 10, more preferably from 0 to 7 and in particular 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, and n denotes a number from 0 to 10, preferably from 1 to 8 and in particular 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Further silicones which may be present in the compositions according to the invention, in addition to the dimethicones, dimethiconols, amodimethicones and/or cyclomethicones according to the invention, are water-soluble silicones.

Corresponding hydrophilic silicones are selected, for example, from the compounds of formulae (Si-6) and/or (Si-7). Particularly preferred water-soluble silicone-based surfactants are selected from the group of dimethicone copolyols which are preferably alkoxylated, in particular polyethoxylated or polypropoxylated.

According to the invention, dimethicone copolyols are preferably taken to mean polyoxyalkylene-modified dimethylpolysiloxanes of the general formulae (Si-6) or (Si-7):

in which the residue R denotes a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group with 1 to 12 C atoms, an alkoxy group with 1 to 12 C atoms or a hydroxyl group, the residues R′ and R″ mean alkyl groups with 1 to 12 C atoms, x denotes an integer from 1 to 100, preferably from 20 to 30, y denotes an integer from 1 to 20, preferably from 2 to 10 and a and b denote integers from 0 to 50, preferably from 10 to 30.

Dimethicone copolyols which are more preferred for the purposes of the invention are for example the products commercially distributed under the trade name SILWET (Union Carbide Corporation) and DOW CORNING. Dimethicone copolyols which are more preferred according to the invention are Dow Corning 190 and Dow Corning 193.

The dimethicone copolyols are in the compositions according to the invention in quantities of 0.01 to 10 wt. %, preferably 0.01 to 8 wt. %, more preferably 0.1 to 7.5 wt. % and in particular 0.1 to 5 wt. % of dimethicone copolyol relative to the composition.

Although any silicones may be used with the active ingredient combination according to the invention, it has been found that their effect declines in the sequence amino-functional silicones, dimethicones comparable with dimethiconols, cyclomethicones and water-soluble silicones. When more than two silicones are used, combinations of amino-functional silicones with dimethicones and/or dimethiconols have been found to be the most effective in increasing the effect of the active ingredient combination according to the invention. The very best effects are obtained if the silicones used are in each case the previously described more preferred silicone compounds.

A further ingredient which increases the effect of the active ingredient combination according to the invention is an oil body. These are for example particularly preferentially ester oils. Ester oils are defined as follows:

Ester oils should be taken to mean the esters of C₆-C₃₀ fatty acids with C₂-C₃₀ fatty alcohols. The monoesters of fatty acids with alcohols with 2 to 24 C atoms are preferred. Examples of fatty acid moieties used in the esters are caproic acid, caprylic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, isotridecanoic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, petroselinic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, elaeostearic acid, arachidic acid, gadoleic acid, behenic acid and erucic acid and the technical mixtures thereof. Examples of fatty alcohol moieties in the ester oils are isopropyl alcohol, caproic alcohol, caprylic alcohol, 2-ethylhexyl alcohol, capric alcohol, lauryl alcohol, isotridecyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, palmoleyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, elaidyl alcohol, petroselinyl alcohol, linolyl alcohol, linolenyl alcohol, elaeostearyl alcohol, arachyl alcohol, gadoleyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, erucyl alcohol and brassidyl alcohol and the technical mixtures thereof. More preferred substances according to the invention are isopropyl myristate (Rilanit® IPM), isononanoic acid C₁₆₋₁₈ alkyl esters (Cetiol® SN), 2-ethylhexyl palmitate (Cegesoft® 24), stearic acid 2-ethylhexyl ester (Cetiol® 868), cetyl oleate, glycerol tricaprylate, coconut fatty alcohol caprinate/caprylate (Cetiol® LC), n-butyl stearate, oleyl erucate (Cetiol® J 600), isopropyl palmitate (Rilanit® IPP), oleyl oleate (Cetiol®), lauric acid hexyl ester (Cetiol® A), di-n-butyl adipate (Cetiol® B), myristyl myristate (Cetiol® mm), cetearyl isononanoate (Cetiol® SN), oleic acid decyl ester (Cetiol® V).

The ester oils may, of course, also be alkoxylated with ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or mixtures of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. Alkoxylation may here proceed not only on the fatty alcohol moiety and the fatty acid moiety but also on both moieties of the ester oils. It is, however, preferred according to the invention if the fatty alcohol was alkoxylated first and then esterified with fatty acid. Formula (D4-II) is a general representation of these compounds.

R¹ here denotes a saturated or unsaturated, branched or unbranched, cyclic saturated or cyclic unsaturated acyl residue with 6 to 30 carbon atoms, AO denotes ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or butylene oxide, X denotes a number between 1 and 200, preferably 1 and 100, more preferably between 1 and 50, particularly preferably between 1 and 20, highly preferably between 1 and 10 and most preferably between 1 and 5, R² denotes a saturated or unsaturated, branched or unbranched, cyclic saturated or cyclic unsaturated alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl or benzyl residue with 6 to 30 carbon atoms. Examples of fatty acid moieties used as residue R¹ in the esters are caproic acid, caprylic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, isotridecanoic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, petroselinic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, elaeostearic acid, arachidic acid, gadoleic acid, behenic acid and erucic acid and the technical mixtures thereof. Examples of fatty alcohol moieties as residue R² in the ester oils are benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, caproic alcohol, caprylic alcohol, 2-ethylhexyl alcohol, capric alcohol, lauryl alcohol, isotridecyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, palmoleyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, elaidyl alcohol, petroselinyl alcohol, linolyl alcohol, linolenyl alcohol, elaeostearyl alcohol, arachyl alcohol, gadoleyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, erucyl alcohol and brassidyl alcohol and the technical mixtures thereof. One ester oil which is more preferred according to the invention is for example obtainable under the INCI name PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate.

Ester oils should furthermore be taken to be:

-   -   dicarboxylic acid esters such as di-n-butyl adipate,         di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, di-(2-ethylhexyl) succinate and         diisotridecyl acelate and diol esters such as ethylene glycol         dioleate, ethylene glycol diisotridecanoate, propylene glycol         di(2-ethylhexanoate), propylene glycol diisostearate, propylene         glycol dipelargonate, butanediol diisostearate, neopentyl glycol         dicaprylate, and     -   symmetrical, asymmetrical or cyclic esters of carbonic acid with         fatty alcohols, for example glycerol carbonate or dicaprylyl         carbonate (Cetiol® CC),     -   trifatty acid esters of saturated and/or unsaturated linear         and/or branched fatty acids with glycerol,     -   fatty acid partial glycerides, i.e. monoglycerides, diglycerides         and the technical mixtures thereof. Typical examples are mono-         and/or diglycerides based on caproic acid, caprylic acid,         2-ethylhexanoic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, isotridecanoic         acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmoleic acid, stearic         acid, isostearic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, petroselinic         acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, elaeostearic acid,         arachidic acid, gadoleic acid, behenic acid and erucic acid and         the technical mixtures thereof. Preferably, oleic acid         monoglycerides are used.

The ester oils are used in the agents according to the invention in a quantity of 0.01 to 20 wt. %, preferably 0.01 to 10.0 wt. %, more preferably 0.01 to 7.5 wt. %, highly preferably of 0.1 to 5.0 wt. %. It is, of course, also possible according to the invention to use a plurality of ester oils simultaneously.

Further oil bodies according to the invention are:

-   -   plant oils. Examples of such oils are sunflower oil, olive oil,         soy oil, rapeseed oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, orange oil, wheat         germ oil, peach stone oil and the liquid fractions of coconut         oil. However, other triglyceride oils such as the liquid         fractions of beef fat together with synthetic triglyceride oils         are also suitable.     -   liquid paraffin oils, isoparaffin oils and synthetic         hydrocarbons and di-n-alkyl ethers with a total of between 12         and 36 C atoms, in particular 12 to 24 C atoms, such as for         example di-n-octyl ether, di-n-decyl ether, di-n-nonyl ether,         di-n-undecyl ether, di-n-dodecyl ether, n-hexyl-n-octyl ether,         n-octyl-n-decyl ether, n-decyl-n-undecyl ether,         n-undecyl-n-dodecyl ether and n-hexyl-n-undecyl ether and         di-tert.-butyl ether, di-iso-pentyl ether, di-3-ethyldecyl         ether, tert.-butyl-n-octyl ether, iso-pentyl-n-octyl ether and         2-methylpentyl-n-octyl ether. The compounds         1,3-di-(2-ethylhexyl)cyclohexane (Cetiol® S) and di-n-octyl         ether (Cetiol®OE) available as commercial products may be         preferred.

Natural oils which are used are for example amaranth seed oil, apricot kernel oil, argan oil, avocado oil, babassu oil, cottonseed oil, borage seed oil, camelina oil, thistle oil, peanut oil, pomegranate seed oil, grapefruit seed oil, hemp oil, hazelnut oil, elderberry seed oil, blackcurrant seed oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, linseed oil, macadamia nut oil, maize germ oil, almond oil, marula oil, evening primrose oil, olive oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, rice oil, sea buckthorn fruit oil, sea buckthorn seed oil, sesame oil, shea butter, soy oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, walnut oil or wild rose oil.

In many cases, the agents include at least one surfactant, wherein not only anionic but also in principle zwitterionic, ampholytic, nonionic and cationic surfactants are suitable. The surface-active substances are selected on the basis of the nature of the agent.

Anionic surfactants (Tanion) which are suitable in preparations according to the invention are any anionic surface-active substances suitable for use on the human body. Typical examples of anionic surfactants are:

-   -   linear and branched fatty acids with 8 to 30 C atoms (soaps),     -   ether carboxylic acids of formula R—O—(CH₂—CH₂O)_(x)—CH₂—COOH,         in which R is a linear alkyl group with 8 to 30 C atoms and x=0         or 1 to 16 and the salts thereof,     -   acyl sarcosides with 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group,     -   acyl taurides with 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group,     -   acyl isethionates with 8 to 24 C atoms in the acyl group,     -   sulfosuccinic acid mono- and dialkyl esters with 8 to 24 C atoms         in the alkyl group and sulfosuccinic acid monoalkyl polyoxyethyl         esters with 8 to 24 C atoms in the alkyl group and 1 to 6         oxyethyl groups,     -   linear alkane sulfonates with 8 to 24 C atoms,     -   linear alpha-olefin sulfonates with 8 to 24 C atoms,     -   alpha-sulfofatty acid methyl esters of fatty acids with 8 to 30         C atoms,     -   alkyl sulfates and alkyl polyglycol ether sulfates of formula         R—O(CH₂—CH₂O)_(x)—OSO₃H, in which R is a preferably linear alkyl         group with 8 to 30 C atoms and x=0 or 1 to 12,     -   hydroxysulfonates substantially corresponding to at least one of         the two following formulae or mixtures thereof and the salts         thereof,         CH₃—(CH₂)_(y)—CHOH—(CH₂)_(p)—(CH—SO₃M)-(CH₂)_(z)—CH₂—O—(C_(n)H_(2n)O)_(x)—H,         and/or         CH₃—(CH₂)_(y)—(CH—SO₃M)-(CH₂)_(p)—CHOH—(CH₂)_(z)—CH₂—O—(C_(n)H_(2n)O)_(x)—H         wherein in both formulae y and z=0 or integers from 1 to 18,         p=0, 1 or 2 and the sum (y+z+p) is a number from 12 to 18, x=0         or a number from 1 to 30 and n an integer from 2 to 4 and M=H or         an alkali metal ion, in particular sodium, potassium or lithium,         alkaline earth metal ion, in particular magnesium, calcium or         zinc, and/or an ammonium ion, which may optionally be         substituted, in particular mono-, di-, tri- or tetraammonium         ions with C₁ to C₄ alkyl, alkenyl or aryl residues,     -   sulfated hydroxyalkyl polyethylene glycol ethers and/or         hydroxyalkylene propylene glycol ethers of formula         R¹—(CHOSO₃M)-CHR³—(OCHR⁴—CH₂)_(n)—OR² where R¹ is a linear alkyl         residue with 1 to 24 C atoms, R² denotes a linear or branched,         saturated alkyl residue with 1 to 24 C atoms, R³ denotes         hydrogen or a linear alkyl residue with 1 to 24 C atoms, R⁴         denotes hydrogen or a methyl residue and M denotes hydrogen,         ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium, in which the alkyl and         alkanol residues in each case have 1 to 4 C atoms, or a metal         atom selected from lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium or         magnesium and n denotes a number in the range from 0 to 12 and         furthermore the total number of C atoms present in R¹ and R³         amounts to 2 to 44,     -   sulfonates of unsaturated fatty acids with 8 to 24 C atoms and 1         to 6 double bonds,     -   esters of tartaric acid and citric acid with alcohols which are         addition products of approximately 2-15 molecules of ethylene         oxide and/or propylene oxide onto fatty alcohols with 8 to 22 C         atoms,     -   alkyl and/or alkenyl ether phosphates of formula         R¹(OCH₂CH₂)_(n)—O—(PO—OX)—OR², in which R¹ preferably denotes an         aliphatic hydrocarbon residue with 8 to 30 carbon atoms, R²         denotes hydrogen, a residue (CH₂CH₂O)_(n)R² or X, n denotes         numbers from 1 to 10 and X denotes hydrogen, an alkali or         alkaline earth metal or NR³R⁴R⁵R⁶, with R³ to R⁶ mutually         independently denoting hydrogen or a C₁ to C₄ hydrocarbon         residue,     -   sulfated fatty acid alkylene glycol esters of formula         RCO(AlkO)_(n)SO₃M in which RCO denotes a linear or branched,         aliphatic, saturated and/or unsaturated acyl residue with 6 to         22 C atoms, Alk denotes CH₂CH₂, CHCH₃CH₂ and/or CH₂CHCH₃, n         denotes numbers from 0.5 to 5 and M denotes a metal, such as an         alkali metal, in particular sodium, potassium or lithium, an         alkaline earth metal, in particular magnesium, calcium or zinc,         or an ammonium ion, such as ⁺NR³R⁴R⁵R⁶, with R³ to R⁶ mutually         independently denoting hydrogen or a C₁ to C₄ hydrocarbon         residue,     -   monoglyceride sulfates and monoglyceride ether sulfates of         formula         R⁸OC—(OCH₂CH₂)_(x)—OCH₂—[CHO(CH₂CH₂O)_(y)H]—CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(z)—SO₃X,     -   in which R⁸CO denotes a linear or branched acyl residue with 6         to 22 carbon atoms, x, y and z in total denote 0 or denote         numbers from 1 to 30, preferably 2 to 10, and X denotes an         alkali or alkaline earth metal. Typical examples of         monoglyceride (ether) sulfates suitable for the purposes of the         invention are the reaction products of lauric acid         monoglyceride, coconut fatty acid monoglyceride, palmitic acid         monoglyceride, stearic acid monoglyceride, oleic acid         monoglyceride and tallow fatty acid monoglyceride and the         ethylene oxide addition products thereof with sulfur trioxide or         chlorosulfonic acid in the form of the sodium salts thereof.         Preferably, monoglyceride sulfates are used, in which R⁸CO         denotes a linear acyl residue with 8 to 18 carbon atoms,     -   amide-ether carboxylic acids         R¹—CO—NR²—CH₂CH₂—O—(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)CH₂COOM, where R¹ is a         straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl residue with a         number of carbon atoms in the chain of 2 to 30, n denotes an         integer from 1 to 20 and R² denotes hydrogen, a methyl, ethyl,         propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, or iso-butyl residue and M         denotes hydrogen or a metal such as alkali metal, in particular         sodium, potassium or lithium, alkaline earth metal, in         particular magnesium, calcium or zinc, or an ammonium ion, such         as ⁺NR³R⁴R⁵R⁶, with R³ to R⁶ mutually independently denoting         hydrogen or a C₁ to C₄ hydrocarbon residue. Such products are         obtainable for example from Chem-Y under the product name         Akypo®.     -   acyl glutamates of formula XOOC—CH₂CH₂CH(C(NH)OR)—COOX, in which         RCO denotes a linear or branched acyl residue with 6 to 22         carbon atoms and 0 and/or 1, 2 or 3 double bonds and X denotes         hydrogen, an alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal, ammonium,         alkylammonium, alkanolammonium or glucammonium,     -   condensation products of a water-soluble salt of a water-soluble         protein hydrolysate with a C₈-C₃₀ fatty acid. Such products have         long been commercially obtainable under the trademarks Lamepon®,         Maypon®, Gluadin®, Hostapon® KCG or Amisoft®.     -   alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycoside carboxylates, sulfates,         phosphates and/or isethionates,     -   acyl lactylates and     -   hydroxy mixed ether sulfates.

If the mild anionic surfactants include polyglycol ether chains, it is particularly preferable for them to have a narrow homolog distribution. Furthermore, in the case of mild anionic surfactants with polyglycol ether units, it is preferred for the number of glycol ether groups to amount to 1 to 20, preferably 2 to 15, more preferably 2 to 12. Particularly mild anionic surfactants with polyglycol ether groups without a narrow homolog distribution may for example also be obtained if, on the one hand, the number of polyglycol ether groups amounts to 4 to 12 and Zn or Mg ions are selected as the counterion. One example of these is the commercial product Texapon® ASV.

Particularly suitable zwitterionic surfactants are “betaines” such as N-alkyl N,N-dimethylammonium glycinates, for example cocoalkyldimethylammonium glycinate, N-acylaminopropyl-N,N-dimethylammonium glycinates, for example cocoacylaminopropyldimethylammonium glycinate, and 2-alkyl-3-carboxymethyl-3-hydroxyethylimidazolines with in each case 8 to 18 C atoms in the alkyl or acyl group and cocoacylaminoethylhydroxyethylcarboxymethyl glycinate. One preferred zwitterionic surfactant is the fatty acid amide derivative known by the INCI name Cocamidopropyl Betaine.

Ampholytic surfactants (Tampho) are taken to mean those surface-active compounds which are capable of forming internal salts. Examples of suitable ampholytic surfactants are N-alkylglycines, N-alkylpropionic acids, N-alkylaminobutyric acids, N-alkyliminodipropionic acids, N-hydroxyethyl-N-alkylamidopropylglycines, N-alkyltaurines, N-alkylsarcosines, 2-alkylaminopropionic acids and alkylaminoacetic acids with in each case approximately 8 to 24 C atoms in the alkyl group. Typical examples of amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants are alkylbetaines, alkylamidobetaines, aminopropionates, aminoglycinates, imidazolinium betaines and sulfobetaines.

More preferred ampholytic surfactants are N-cocoalkyl aminopropionate, cocoacylaminoethyl aminopropionate and C₁₂ to C₁₈ acyl sarcosine.

Nonionic surfactants (Tnio) are for example

-   -   addition products of 2 to 50 mol of ethylene oxide and/or 0 to 5         mol of propylene oxide onto linear and branched fatty alcohols         with 6 to 30 C atoms, fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers or fatty         alcohol polypropylene glycol ethers or mixed fatty alcohol         polyethers,     -   addition products of 2 to 50 mol of ethylene oxide and/or 0 to 5         mol of propylene oxide onto linear and branched fatty acids with         6 to 30 C atoms, fatty acid polyglycol ethers or fatty acid         polypropylene glycol ethers or mixed fatty acid polyethers,     -   addition products of 2 to 50 mol of ethylene oxide and/or 0 to 5         mol of propylene oxide onto linear and branched alkylphenols         with 8 to 15 C atoms in the alkyl group, alkylphenol polyglycol         ethers or alkyl polypropylene glycol ethers, or mixed         alkylphenol polyethers,     -   addition products, end group-terminated with a methyl or C₂-C₆         alkyl residue, of 2 to 50 mol of ethylene oxide and/or 0 to 5         mol of propylene oxide onto linear and branched fatty alcohols         with 8 to 30 carbon atoms, onto fatty acids with 8 to 30 C atoms         and onto alkylphenols with 8 to 15 C atoms in the alkyl group,         such as for example the grades obtainable under the commercial         names Dehydol® LS, Dehydol® LT (Cognis),     -   C₁₂-C₃₀ fatty acid mono- and diesters of addition products of 1         to 30 mol of ethylene oxide onto glycerol,     -   addition products of 5 to 60 mol of ethylene oxide onto castor         oil and hardened castor oil,     -   polyol fatty acid esters, such as for example the commercial         product Hydagen® HSP (Cognis) or Sovermol grades (Cognis),     -   alkoxylated triglycerides,     -   alkoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters of formula (Tnio-1)

R¹CO—(OCH₂CHR²)_(w)OR³  (Tnio-1)

-   -   in which R¹CO denotes a linear or branched, saturated and/or         unsaturated acyl residue with 6 to 22 carbon atoms, R² denotes         hydrogen or methyl, R³ denotes linear or branched alkyl residues         with 1 to 4 carbon atoms and w denotes numbers from 1 to 20,     -   amine oxides,     -   hydroxy mixed ethers         R¹O[CH₂CH(CH₃)O]_(x)(CH₂CHR²O)_(y)[CH₂CH(OH)R³]_(z) with R¹         denoting a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl         and/or alkenyl residue with 2 to 30 C atoms, R² denoting         hydrogen, a methyl, ethyl, propyl or iso-propyl residue, R³         denoting a linear or branched alkyl residue with 2 to 30 C         atoms, x denoting 0 or a number from 1 to 20, Y denoting a         number from 1 to 30 and z denoting the number 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.     -   sorbitan fatty acid esters and addition products of ethylene         oxide onto sorbitan fatty acid esters such as for example         polysorbates,     -   sugar fatty acid esters and addition products of ethylene oxide         onto sugar fatty acid esters,     -   addition products of ethylene oxide onto fatty acid         alkanolamides and fatty amines,     -   sugar surfactants of the alkyl and alkenyl oligoglycoside type,     -   sugar surfactants of the fatty acid N-alkyl         polyhydroxyalkylamide type,     -   fatty acid amide polyglycol ethers, fatty amine polyglycol         ethers,     -   mixed ethers or mixed formals and polysorbates.

The surfactants are used in quantities of 0.05-45 wt. %, preferably of 0.1-30 wt. % and particularly preferably of 0.5-25 wt. %, relative to the total agent used according to the invention.

Examples of emulsifiers which may be used according to the invention are:

-   -   addition products of 4 to 30 mol of ethylene oxide and/or 0 to 5         mol of propylene oxide onto linear fatty alcohols with 8 to 22 C         atoms, onto fatty acids with 12 to 22 C atoms and onto         alkylphenols with 8 to 15 C atoms in the alkyl group,     -   C₁₂-C₂₂ fatty acid mono- and diesters of addition products of 1         to 30 mol of ethylene oxide onto polyols with 3 to 6 carbon         atoms, in particular onto glycerol,     -   ethylene oxide and polyglycerol addition products onto methyl         glucoside/fatty acid esters, fatty acid alkanolamides and fatty         acid glucamides,     -   C₈-C₂₂ alkyl mono- and oligoglycosides and the ethoxylated         analogs thereof, wherein degrees of oligomerization of 1.1 to 5,         in particular of 1.2 to 2.0, and glucose as the sugar component         are preferred,     -   mixtures of alkyl (oligo)glucosides and fatty alcohols, for         example the commercially available product Montanov®68,     -   addition products of 5 to 60 mol of ethylene oxide onto castor         oil and hardened castor oil, partial esters of polyols with 3-6         carbon atoms with saturated fatty acids with 8 to 22 C atoms,     -   sterols, both from animal tissue (zoosterols, cholesterol,         lanosterol) and from plant fats (phytosterols, ergosterol,         stigmasterol, sitosterol) or from fungi and yeasts         (mycosterols),     -   phospholipids (lecithin, phosphatidylcholines),     -   fatty acid esters of sugars and sugar alcohols, such as         sorbitol,     -   polyglycerols and polyglycerol derivatives such as for example         polyglycerol poly-12-hydroxystearate (commercial product         Dehymuls® PGPH).

The agents according to the invention preferably include the emulsifiers in quantities of 0.1-25 wt. %, in particular of 0.5-15 wt. %, relative to the total agent.

The compositions according to the invention more preferentially include fatty substances as a further active substance. Fatty substances should be taken to mean fatty acids, fatty alcohols, natural and synthetic waxes, which may assume both solid form and liquid form in an aqueous dispersion, and natural and synthetic cosmetic oil components. Fatty acids which may be used are linear and/or branched, saturated and/or unsaturated fatty acids with 6-30 carbon atoms. Fatty acids with 10-22 carbon atoms are preferred. Such substances which may, for example, be mentioned are isostearic acids, such as the commercial products Emersol® 871 and Emersol® 875, and isopalmitic acids such as the commercial product Edenor® IP 95, and any further fatty acids distributed under the tradename Edenor® (Cognis). Further typical examples of such fatty acids are caproic acid, caprylic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, isotridecanoic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, petroselinic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, elaeostearic acid, arachidic acid, gadoleic acid, behenic acid and erucic acid and the technical mixtures thereof. The fatty acid cuts obtainable from coconut oil or palm oil are conventionally more preferred; in general, it is more preferred to use stearic acid.

The quantity used here amounts to 0.1-15 wt. %, relative to the total agent. Preferably, the quantity amounts to 0.5-10 wt. %, wherein quantities of 1-5 wt. % are particularly advantageous.

Fatty alcohols which may be used are saturated, mono- or polyunsaturated, branched or unbranched fatty alcohols with C₆-C₃₀, preferably C₁₀-C₂₂ and particularly preferably C₁₂-C₂₂ carbon atoms. For the purposes of the invention, it is for example possible to use decanol, octanol, octenol, dodecenol, decenol, octadienol, dodecadienol, decadienol, oleyl alcohol, erucic alcohol, ricinol alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, caprylic alcohol, capric alcohol, linoleyl alcohol, linolenyl alcohol and behenyl alcohol, and the Guerbet alcohols thereof, wherein this list is intended to be of an exemplary and non-limiting nature. The fatty alcohols are, however, preferably derived from natural fatty acids, wherein the conventional starting point is isolation from the fatty acid esters by reduction. Fatty alcohol cuts which are a mixture of various fatty alcohols may likewise be used according to the invention. Such substances are commercially obtainable for example under the names Stenol®, for example Stenol® 1618 or Lanette®, for example Lanette® O or Lorol®, for example Lorol® C8, Lorol® C14, Lorol® C18, Lorol® C8-18, HD-Ocenol®, Crodacol®, for example Crodacol® CS, Novol®, Eutanol® G, Guerbitol® 16, Guerbitol® 18, Guerbitol® 20, Isofol® 12, Isofol® 16, Isofol® 24, Isofol® 36, Isocarb® 12, Isocarb® 16 or Isocarb® 24. Wool wax alcohols, as are for example commercially obtainable under the names Corona®, White Swan®, Coronet® or Fluilan®, may of course also be used according to the invention. The fatty alcohols are used in quantities of 0.1-30 wt. %, relative to the total preparation, preferably in quantities of 0.1-20 wt. %.

Natural or synthetic waxes which may be used according to the invention are solid paraffins or isoparaffins, carnauba waxes, beeswaxes, candelilla waxes, ozokerites, ceresin, spermaceti, sunflower wax, fruit waxes such as for example apple wax or citrus wax, or PE or PP microwaxes. Such waxes are obtainable for example through Kahl & Co., Trittau.

The quantity used amounts to 0.1-50 wt. % relative to the total agent, preferably 0.1-20 wt. % and more preferably 0.1-15 wt. % relative to the total agent.

The total quantity of oil and fat components in the agents according to the invention conventionally amounts to 0.5-75 wt. %, relative to the total agent. Quantities of 0.5-35 wt. % are preferred according to the invention.

A further synergistic active substance according to the invention in the compositions according to the invention with the active substance complex according to the invention are protein hydrolysates and/or the derivatives thereof.

Protein hydrolysates of both plant and animal origin or marine or synthetic origin may be used according to the invention.

Animal protein hydrolysates are for example elastin, collagen, keratin, silk and milk protein hydrolysates which may also assume salt form. Such products are distributed for example under the tradenames Dehylan® (Cognis), Promois® (Interorgana), Collapuron® (Cognis), Nutrilan® (Cognis), Gelita-Sol® (Deutsche Gelatine Fabriken Stoess & Co), Lexein® (Inolex) and Kerasol® (Croda).

Further plant protein hydrolysates which are preferred according to the invention are for example soy, almond, pea, moringa, potato and wheat protein hydrolysates. Such products are obtainable for example under the trademarks Gluadin® (Cognis), DiaMin® (Diamalt), Lexein® (Inolex), Hydrosoy® (Croda), Hydrolupin® (Croda), Hydrosesame® (Croda), Hydrotritium® (Croda), Crotein® (Croda) and Puricare® LS 9658 from Laboratoires Sérobiologiques. Further protein hydrolysates which are preferred according to the invention are of maritime origin. These include for example collagen hydrolysates from fish or seaweed and protein hydrolysates from mussels or pearl hydrolysates. Examples of pearl extracts according to the invention are the commercial products Pearl Protein Extract BG® or Crodarom® Pearl.

Cationized protein hydrolysates should furthermore be included among protein hydrolysates and the derivatives thereof, wherein the underlying protein hydrolysate may originate from animals, for example from collagen, milk or keratin, from plants, for example from wheat, maize, rice, potatoes, soy or almonds, from marine life forms, for example from fish collagen or algae, or biotechnologically obtained protein hydrolysates. Typical examples of the cationic protein hydrolysates and derivatives according to the invention which may be mentioned are those that are commercially obtainable and mentioned among the INCI names in the “International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook”, (seventh edition 1997, The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association 1101 17th Street, N.W., Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036-4702.

The protein hydrolysates are present in the compositions in concentrations of 0.001 wt. % to 20 wt. %, preferably of 0.05 wt. % to 15 wt. % and particularly preferably in quantities of 0.05 wt. % to 5 wt. %.

A further preferred group of ingredients of the compositions according to the invention with the active substance complex according to the invention are vitamins, provitamins or vitamin precursors. Vitamins, provitamins and vitamin precursors which are more preferred are those which are assigned to groups A, B, C, E, F and H.

The group of substances designated vitamin A includes retinol (vitamin A₁) and 3,4-didehydroretinol (vitamin A₂). β-Carotene is the provitamin of retinol. Examples of a vitamin A component which may be considered according the invention are vitamin A acid and the esters thereof, vitamin A aldehyde and vitamin A alcohol and the esters thereof such as the palmitate and the acetate. The agents according to the invention preferably include the vitamin A component in quantities of from 0.05-1 wt. %, relative to the total preparation.

The vitamin B group or the vitamin B complex includes, inter alia:

vitamin B₁ (thiamin) vitamin B₂ (riboflavin) vitamin B₃. This designation is frequently used for the compounds nicotinic acid and nicotinamide (niacinamide). Nicotinamide is preferred according to the invention and is preferably present in the agents according to the invention in quantities of from 0.05 to 1 wt. %, relative to the total agent.

Vitamin B₅ (pantothenic acid, panthenol and pantolactone). In the context of this group, panthenol and/or pantolactone are preferably used. Derivatives of panthenol which may be used according to the invention are in particular the esters and ethers of panthenol and cationically derivatized panthenols. Individual representatives are for example panthenol triacetate, panthenol monoethyl ether and the monoacetate thereof and cationic panthenol derivatives. Pantothenic acid is preferably used in the present invention as a derivative in the form of the more stable calcium salts and sodium salts (Ca pantothenate, Na pantothenate).

Vitamin B₆ (pyridoxine as well as pyridoxamine and pyridoxal).

The stated compounds of the vitamin B type, in particular vitamin B₃, B₅ and B₆, are preferably present in the agents according to the invention in quantities of from 0.05-10 wt. %, relative to the total agent. Quantities of 0.1-5 wt. % are more preferred.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Vitamin C is preferably used in the agents according to the invention in quantities of from 0.1 to 3 wt. %, relative to the total agent. Use in the form of the palmitic acid ester, the glucosides or phosphates may be preferred. Use in combination with tocopherols may likewise be preferred.

Vitamin E (tocopherols, in particular α-tocopherol). Tocopherol and the derivatives thereof, which include in particular the esters such as the acetate, the nicotinate, the phosphate and the succinate, are preferably present in the agents according to the invention in quantities of from 0.05-1 wt. %, relative to the total agent.

Vitamin F. The term “vitamin F” is conventionally understood to mean essential fatty acids, in particular linoleic acid, linolenic acid and arachidonic acid.

Vitamin H. Vitamin H denotes the compound (3aS,4S,6aR)-2-oxohexahydrothienol[3,4-d]-imidazole-4-valeric acid, which is now, however, known by the common name biotin. Biotin is present in the agents according to the invention preferably in quantities of from 0.0001 to 1.0 wt. %, in particular in quantities of from 0.001 to 0.01 wt. %.

The agents according to the invention preferably include vitamins, provitamins and vitamin precursors from the groups A, B, E and H. Panthenol, pantolactone, pyridoxine and the derivatives thereof and nicotinamide and biotin are more preferred.

One more preferred group of ingredients in the cosmetic compositions according to the invention are the betaines stated below: carnitine, carnitine tartrate, carnitine magnesium citrate, acetylcarnitine, betalains, 1,1-dimethylproline, choline, choline chloride, choline bitartrate, choline dihydrogencitrate and the compound N,N,N-trimethylglycine which is designated as a betaine in the literature.

Carnitine, histidine, choline and betaine are preferably used. L-Carnitine tartrate is used as active substance in a more preferred embodiment of the invention.

More preferred agents according to the invention are those which, relative to the weight thereof, include 0.0001 to 10.0 wt. %, preferably 0.0005 to 5.0 wt. %, more preferably 0.001 to 2.0 wt. % and in particular 0.001 to 1.0 wt. % of at least one of the above-stated betaines, in particular carnitine tartrate.

In a further embodiment which is preferred according to the invention, the compositions according to the invention include bioquinones. In the agents according to the invention, suitable bioquinones should be taken to mean one or more ubiquinone(s) and/or plastoquinone(s). Ubiquinones which are preferred according to the invention have the following formula:

with n=6, 7, 8, 9 or 10. Coenzyme Q-10 is here most preferred.

Preferred compositions according to the invention include purine and/or purine derivatives in relatively narrow quantity ranges. Cosmetic agents which are preferred according to the invention are here characterized in that, relative to the weight thereof, they include 0.001 to 2.5 wt. %, preferably 0.0025 to 1 wt. %, more preferably 0.005 to 0.5 wt. % and in particular 0.01 to 0.1 wt. % of purine(s) and/or purine derivative(s). Cosmetic agents which are preferred according to the invention are characterized in that they include purine, adenine, guanine, uric acid, hypoxanthine, 6-purinethiol, 6-thioguanine, xanthine, caffeine, theobromine or theophylline. Caffeine is most preferred in hair cosmetic preparations.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cosmetic agent includes ectoine (S)-2-methyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid).

Agents which are more preferred according to the invention are those which, relative to the weight thereof, include 0.00001 to 10.0 wt. %, preferably 0.0001 to 5.0 wt. % and in particular 0.001 to 3 wt. % of the active substances from the group which is formed by carnitine, coenzyme Q-10, ectoine, a vitamin of the B series, a purine and the derivatives thereof or physiologically acceptable salts.

One particularly preferred conditioning additive in the hair treatment agents according to the invention is taurine. Taurine is exclusively taken to mean 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid while a derivative is taken to mean the explicitly stated derivatives of taurine. The derivatives of taurine are taken to mean N-monomethyltaurine, N,N-dimethyltaurine, taurine lysylate, taurine tartrate, taurine ornithate, lysyltaurine and ornithyltaurine.

More preferred agents according to the invention are those which, relative to the weight thereof, include 0.0001 to 10.0 wt. %, preferably 0.0005 to 5.0 wt. %, more preferably 0.001 to 2.0 wt. % and in particular 0.001 to 1.0 wt. % of taurine and/or a derivative of taurine. The effect of the compositions according to the invention may be additionally increased by a 2-pyrrolidinone-5-carboxylic acid and the derivatives thereof. The sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium or ammonium salts, in which, in addition to hydrogen, the ammonium ion bears one to three C₁ to C₄ alkyl groups, are preferred. The sodium salt is particularly preferred. The quantities used in the agents according to the invention amount to 0.05 to 10 wt. %, relative to the total agent, more preferably 0.1 to 5, and in particular 0.1 to 3 wt. %.

Thanks to the use of plant extracts as conditioning substances, the hair treatment agents according to the invention may have a formulation which is particularly close to nature while nevertheless being very effective in terms of their conditioning performance. It is optionally even possible to dispense with the preservatives which would otherwise be conventional. According to the invention, preference is above all given to extracts from green tea, oak bark, stinging nettle, witch hazel, hops, henna, chamomile, burdock root, horsetail, hawthorn, lime blossom, almond, aloe vera, pine needle, horse chestnut, sandalwood, juniper, coconut, mango, apricot, lime, wheat, kiwi fruit, melon, orange, grapefruit, sage, rosemary, birch, mallow, valerian, lady's smock, wild thyme, yarrow, thyme, melissa, restharrow, coltsfoot, marsh mallow, meristem, ginseng, coffee, cocoa, moringa, ginger root and ayurvedic plant extracts, such as for example Aegle marmelos (bilwa), Cyperus rotundus (nagar motha), Emblica officinalis (amalaki), Morida citrifolia (ashyuka), Tinospora cordifolia (guduchi), Santalum album (chandana), Crocus sativus (kumkuma), Cinnamonum zeylanicum and Nelumbo nucifera (kamala), sweet grasses such as wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt, maize, the various varieties of millet (proso millet, African finger millet, foxtail millet by way of example), sugar cane, ryegrass, meadow foxtail, oat grass, bentgrass, meadow fescue, moor grass, bamboo, cotton grass, fountain grasses, Andropogoneae (Imperata cylindrica also known as blady grass or cogon grass), buffalo grass, cordgrasses, dog's tooth grasses, lovegrasses, Cymbopogon (lemon grass), Oryzeae (rice), Zizania (wild rice), marram grass, steppe oat, softgrasses, quaking grasses, bluegrasses, couch grasses and Echinacea, in particular Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, all species of vine and pericarp of Litchi chinensis.

The plant extracts may be used according to the invention in both pure and dilute form. Where used in dilute form, they conventionally include approximately 2-80 wt. % of active substance and, as solvent, the extracting agent or extracting agent mixture used to isolate them.

It may occasionally be necessary to use anionic polymers. Examples of anionic monomers of which such polymers may consist are acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic anhydride and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid. In this case, the acidic groups may be present wholly or in part as a sodium, potassium, ammonium, mono- or triethanolammonium salt. 2-Acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and acrylic acid are preferred monomers.

Anionic polymers which have proven very particularly effective are those which include as sole or co-monomer 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, wherein the sulfonic acid group may be present wholly or in part as a sodium, potassium, ammonium, mono- or triethanolammonium salt.

The homopolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid is more preferred, and is commercially obtainable for example under the name Rheothik®11-80.

Preferred nonionogenic monomers are acrylamide, methacrylamide, acrylic acid esters, methacrylic acid esters, vinylpyrrolidone, vinyl ethers and vinyl esters.

Preferred anionic copolymers are acrylic acid-acrylamide copolymers and in particular polyacrylamide copolymers with monomers including sulfonic acid groups. Such a polymer is present in the commercial product Sepigel®305 from SEPPIC.

Anionic homopolymers which are likewise preferred are uncrosslinked and crosslinked polyacrylic acids. In this case, allyl ethers of pentaerythritol, of sucrose and of propylene may be preferred crosslinking agents. Such compounds are commercially obtainable for example under the trademark Carbopol®.

Copolymers of maleic anhydride and methyl vinyl ether, in particular those comprising crosslinks, are also color-preserving polymers. A maleic acid-methyl vinyl ether copolymer crosslinked with 1,9-decadiene is commercially obtainable under the name Stabileze® QM. The anionic polymers are present in the agents according to the invention preferably in quantities of from 0.05 to 10 wt. %, relative to the total agent. Quantities of 0.1 to 5 wt. % are more preferred.

In a further embodiment, the agents according to the invention may include nonionogenic polymers.

Suitable nonionogenic polymers are for example:

-   -   vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl ester copolymers, as are distributed for         example under the tradename Luviskol® (BASF). Luviskol® VA 64         and Luviskol® VA 73, in each case vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate         copolymers, are likewise preferred nonionic polymers.     -   cellulose ethers, such as hydroxypropylcellulose,         hydroxyethylcellulose and methylhydroxypropylcellulose, as are         distributed for example under the tradenames Culminal® and         Benecel® (AQUALON) and Natrosol® grades (Hercules).     -   starch and the derivatives thereof, in particular starch ethers,         for example Structure® XL (National Starch), a multifunctional,         salt-tolerant starch;     -   shellac     -   polyvinylpyrrolidones, as are distributed for example under the         tradename Luviskol® (BASF).

The nonionic polymers are present in the compositions according to the invention preferably in quantities of from 0.05 to 10 wt. %, relative to the total agent. Quantities of 0.1 to 5 wt. % are more preferred.

In a further embodiment, the agents according to the invention should additionally include at least one UV light protection filter. UVB filters may be oil-soluble or water-soluble. Oil-soluble substances which may be mentioned are, for example:

-   -   3-benzylidenecamphor, for example         3-(4-methylbenzylidene)camphor;     -   4-aminobenzoic acid derivatives, preferably         4-(dimethylamino)benzoic acid 2-ethylhexyl ester,         4-(dimethylamino)benzoic acid 2-octyl ester and         4-(dimethylamino)benzoic acid amyl ester;     -   esters of cinnamic acid, preferably 4-methoxycinnamic acid         2-ethylhexyl ester, 4-methoxycinnamic acid propyl ester,         4-methoxycinnamic acid isoamyl ester, 2-cyano-3-phenylcinnamic         acid 2-ethylhexyl ester (Octocrylene);     -   esters of salicylic acid, preferably salicylic acid 2-ethylhexyl         ester, salicylic acid 4-isopropylbenzyl ester, salicylic acid         homomenthyl ester;     -   derivatives of benzophenone, preferably         2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone,         2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-4′-methylbenzophenone,         2,2′-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone;     -   esters of benzalmalonic acid, preferably 4-methoxybenzalmalonic         acid di-2-ethylhexyl ester;     -   triazine derivatives, such as for example         2,4,6-trianilino-(p-carbo-2′-ethyl-1′-hexyloxy)-1,3,5-triazine         and octyl triazone.     -   propane-1,3-diones, such as for example         1-(4-tert.-butylphenyl)-3-(4′-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-dione;         Water-soluble substances which may be considered are:     -   2-phenylbenzimidazole 5-sulfonic acid and the alkali and         alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium         and glucammonium salts thereof;     -   sulfonic acid derivatives of benzophenones, preferably         2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid and the salts         thereof;     -   sulfonic acid derivatives of 3-benzylidenecamphor, such as for         example 4-(2-oxo-3-bornylidenemethyl)benzenesulfonic acid and         2-methyl-5-(2-oxo-3-bornylidene)sulfonic acid and the salts         thereof.

Typical UVA filters which may be considered are in particular derivatives of benzoylmethane, such as for example 1-(4′-tert.-butylphenyl)-3-(4′-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-dione or 1-phenyl-3-(4′-isopropylphenyl)propane-1,3-dione. The UVA and UVB filters may, of course, also be used in mixtures. In addition to the stated soluble substances, insoluble pigments may also be considered for this purpose, in particular finely dispersed metal oxides or salts, such as for example titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, ferric oxide, aluminum oxide, cerium oxide, zirconium oxide, silicates (talcum), barium sulfate and zinc stearate. The particles should here have an average diameter of less than 100 nm, preferably between 5 and 50 nm and in particular between 15 and 30 nm. They may have a spherical shape, but such particles having a shape which is ellipsoidal or differs in another way from spherical may also be used.

The cosmetic agents may moreover include further active substances, auxiliary substances and additives, such as for example

-   -   structuring agents such as maleic acid and lactic acid,     -   swelling agents such as urea, allantoin, carbonates or         hydantoin,     -   dimethyl isosorbide and cyclodextrins,     -   dyes for coloring the agent,     -   antidandruff active substances such as piroctone olamine, zinc         omadine and climbazole,     -   complexing agents such as EDTA, NTA, β-alaninediacetic acid and         phosphonic acids,     -   opacifiers such as latex, styrene/PVP and styrene/acrylamide         copolymers     -   pearlescent agents such as ethylene glycol mono- and distearate         as well as PEG-3 distearate,     -   pigments,     -   stabilizers for hydrogen peroxide and other oxidizing agents,     -   propellants such as propane/butane mixtures, N₂O, dimethyl         ether, CO₂ and air,     -   antioxidants,     -   perfume oils, scents and odorants.

With regard to further optional components and the quantities of these components used, reference is explicitly made to the relevant handbooks known to a person skilled in the art.

The invention therefore secondly provides a method for hair treatment, in which the hair treatment agent according to claim 1 is applied onto the hair and, after a period of exposure, rinsed out of the hair.

The period of exposure preferably amounts to a few seconds to 100 minutes, more preferably to 1 to 50 minutes and particularly preferably to 1 to 30 minutes.

A method in which the cosmetic agent according to claim 1 is applied onto the hair and remains there is furthermore according to the invention. According to the invention, “remain on the hair” is taken to mean that the agent is not rinsed back out of the hair immediately after the use of thereof. Instead, the agent remains on the hair in this case for more than 100 minutes up to until the next time the hair is washed.

The following examples are intended to explain the subject matter of the present invention but without limiting it.

Examples

Unless otherwise stated, all quantities are stated in parts by weight. The following formulations were prepared using known production methods.

Hair conditioner:

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 Stenol ® 1618 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 Genamin ® KDMP 2.0 — 2.0 — — — Cetrimonium chloride — — — — 1.0 — Rheocare ® Ultragel 2.0 — — — — — Dehyquart ® L80 0.5 — — 0.5 — — Polyquatemium-77 0.5 — — 0.5 — — Silcare ® SEA 0.5 — 0.5 — — Polyquaternium-71 0.5 — 0.5 — — Terraquat ® BD — 3.0 0.5 — 3.0 1.0 Dow Corning ® 949 — — — 0.5 — — Stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl 0.5 0.5 0.5 Laurylglucoside Bis-Ethyl(isostearylimidazoline) 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 Isostearamide Panthenol 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.2 Isopropyl myristate 0.4 — — — — DC ® 200, 60,000 cSt 0.3 — 0.2 — — — Dicaprylyl Carbonate 0.3 — 0.3 0.3 — — Lactic acid 0.1 — — — 0.2 0.5 Citric acid — — — 0.3 — — Vanillic acid 0.2 0.2 — 0.2 — — Mandelic acid — — 0.3 0.2 0.3 — Methylparaben 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Perfume 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 Phenoxyethanol 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 Water ad 100 ad 100 ad 100 ad 100 ad 100 ad 100

The pH value of all formulations was adjusted to 2 to 4.

Hair mask:

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 Stenol ® 1618 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 Quartamin ® BTC 131 1.5 — 0.8 1.0 — — Crodazosoft ® DBQ 1.5 — — 1.5 — — Rheocaret Ultragel 3.0 — — — — — Dehyquart ® L80 0.5 — — 0.5 — — Dehyquart ® F 75 — — — — 1.0 — Polyquaternium-77 0.5 — — 0.5 — — Silcare ® SEA 0.5 0.5 0.5 — — — Polyquatemium-71 0.5 — 0.5 — Tenaquat ® BD — 4.5 0.5 1.5 4.5 1.5 Dow Corning ® 949 — — — 0.5 — — Stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl 0.5 0.5 0.5 Laurylglucoside Bis-Ethyl(isostearylimidazoline) 1.0 1.5 4.0 3.0 1.5 1.5 Isostearamide Lactic acid 0.5 — — — 2.0 — Citric acid — — — 0.3 — 3.0 Vanillic acid 2.0 2.0 — 0.5 — — Mandelic acid — — 0.3 2.0 0.3 — Isopropyl myristate 0.4 — 0.4 — — — Panthenol 0.5 0.5 0.8 0.5 0.5 0.5 DC ® 200, 60,000cSt 0.3 — 0.2 — — — Cetiol ® C5 1.0 — 0.3 0.3 — — Dicaprylyl Carbonate 0.3 — 0.3 0.3 — — Methylparaben 0.2 — 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Perfume 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 Phenoxyethanol 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 Water ad 100 ad 100 ad 100 ad 100 ad 100 ad 100

The pH value of all formulations was adjusted to 2 to 4.

Hair shampoo:

HS1 HS2 HS3 HS4 HS5 Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (2- 20.0  20.0  9.0 — — EO) Sodium lauryl ether sulfate (2-EO) — — — 9.0 9.0 Terraquat ® BD 2.0 2.0 — — — Ammonium lauryl sulfate (30%) 20.0  20.0  — — — Cocamidopropyl Betaine 7.0 7.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 Plantacare ® 818 UP — — 6.0 6.0 6.0 Sodium Benzoate 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Citric Acid or Lactic Acid or a 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 mixture of both Thickening agent 1.0 2.0 0.5 2.5 1.0 Polyquaternium-77 0.5 — — 0.5 — Silcare ® SEA 0.5 — 0.5 — 0.3 Cosmedia ® GuarC261 — — — 0.4 — Polyquaternium-71 0.5 — 0.5 — 0.1 Polyquaternium-74 — — 0.3 — 0.2 Dow Corning ® 949 — — — 0.5 — Stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl 0.5 — 0.5 0.5 0.5 Laurylglucoside Bis-Ethyl(isostearylimidazoline) 2.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 1.0 Isostearamide Mandelic acid — — 0.3 2.0 0.3 Isopropyl myristate 0.4 — 0.4 — — Panthenol 0.5 0.5 0.8 0.5 0.5 DC ® 200, 60,000 cSt 0.3 — 0.2 — — Cetiol ® C5 1.0 — 0.3 0.3 — Dicaprylyl Carbonate 0.3 — 0.3 0.3 — Perfume 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 Phenoxyethanol 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 Water ad ad ad ad ad 100 100 100 100 100

The pH value of all the formulations was adjusted to 4.5 to 5.8. The thickeners used may be any thickeners or thickener systems known to a person skilled in the art in surfactant systems. For example, cellulose ethers, xanthan gums, hydroxyethylcelluloses, Laureth-2 and Laureth-3, and for example the products known by the trade names Antil® or Crothix® are in each case used individually or in mixtures with one another in the above-stated formulations.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair treatment agent including, relative to the weight thereof, a) 0.01 to 15 wt. % of a fatty acid amide according to formula (I)

in which R¹, R² and R³ mutually independently denote a linear branched or unbranched C₆ to C₃₀ alkyl or alkenyl group, and n and m mutually independently denote integers from 1 to 10, and b) 0.01 to 15.0 wt. % of at least one hydroxycarboxylic acid.
 2. The hair treatment agent according to claim 1, further including at least one quaternary ammonium compound in a total quantity of 0.1 to 15.0 wt. % selected from the group consisting of cationic surfactants of formula (Tkat1)

in which R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ in each case mutually independently denote hydrogen, a methyl group, a phenyl group, a benzyl group, a saturated, branched or unbranched alkyl residue with a chain length of 8 to 30 carbon atoms, which may optionally be substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups, and A denotes a physiologically acceptable anion, for example halides such as chloride or bromide and methosulfates, and/or esterquats and/or at least one compound of general formula (bI)

in which n and m mutually independently denote integers between 5 and 40, providing that n+m≧38, a and b mutually independently denote integers between 1 and 10 and optionally the equation a+2≧b≧a−2 applies, R and R′ are mutually independently selected from —H and —CH₃, such that either PEG or PPG diesterquats are used, X⁻ is a physiologically acceptable anion, at least one compound of formula (bII)

in which x denotes 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 or 24, at least one quaternary imidazoline of formula (bIII),

in which the residues R mutually independently in each case denote a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched hydrocarbon residue with a chain length of 8 to 30 carbon atoms and A denotes a physiologically acceptable anion, poly(methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium) compounds, Polyquaternium-2, Polyquaternium-67, Polyquaternium-72, cationized honey, polymeric dimethyldiallylammonium salts and the copolymers thereof with esters and amides of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone with quaternized derivatives of dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate and methacrylate, vinylpyrrolidone-vinylimidazolium methochloride copolymers, quaternized polyvinyl alcohol, Polyquaternium-2, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-16, Polyquaternium-17, Polyquaternium-18, Polyquaternium-27, Polyquaternium-69, Polyquaternium-74, a polymeric alkyl oligoglucoside of formula

in which R denotes a linear or branched C₆ to C₃₀ alkyl or aklenyl residue, R² denotes a linear or branched C₆ to C₃₀ alkyl or alkenyl residue, and A⁻ denotes a physiologically acceptable anion, an oligomeric alkyl oligoglucoside of formula

in which R¹ denotes a linear or branched C₆ to C₃₀ alkyl or alkenyl residue, R² denotes a linear or branched C₆ to C₃₀ alkyl or alkenyl residue, and A⁻ denotes a physiologically acceptable anion, and Polyquaternium-71.
 3. The hair treatment agent according to claim 1, further including at least one silicone compound.
 4. The hair treatment agent according to claim 3, characterized in that the silicone compound is selected from amino-functional silicones.
 5. The hair treatment agent according to claim 1, further including carnitine.
 6. The hair treatment agent according to claim 1, further including a purine.
 7. The hair treatment agent according to claim 1, further including ectoine.
 8. The hair treatment agent according to claim 1, further including at least one ubiquinone.
 9. A method for treating keratinic fibers, including: applying the hair treatment agent according to claim 1 onto the keratinic fibers and, after a period of exposure of a few seconds up to 45 minutes, rinsing out the hair treatment agent. 